Governor's Advisory Council on Veterans Services

The GAC-VS was established as Pennsylvania's first interagency cooperative approach to veterans services. The council reviews, evaluates and assesses state veterans programs in collaboration with senior staff from state agencies and commissions. It increases information sharing, ensures program fidelity, coordinates complementary programs and facilitates meaningful enhancements in service accessibility to veterans benefits and services within Pennsylvania.

The GAC-VS consists of committees comprised of state, federal, and county personnel who have a vested interest in serving veterans. Each committee is chaired by a subject matter expert who facilitates the committee's initiatives and provides a brief to the Council members and/or designees during the quarterly meetings.

The Pennsylvania Veterans’ Trust Fund (VTF), administered by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), provides critical assistance to Pennsylvania veterans from every county. Since 2020, a new funding stream, established through connections from the Governor’s Advisory Council on Veterans Services—allows Pennsylvanians serving on jury duty to donate their payments for serving to the VTF, expanded support for
this vital fund.

This new stream of funding compliments contributions Pennsylvanians can make while renewing their vehicle registration through PennDOT and private donations made
to the fund.

Brigadier General (PA, Ret) Maureen Weigl, Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans Affairs, emphasized the importance of these efforts. “At DMVA, we rely on partnerships to support nearly 700,000 veterans. Educating our communities and working with those who want to give back is essential to our success.”

The VTF also administers the Veterans Temporary Assistance (VTA) program, offering direct payments of up to $1,600 to veterans and surviving spouses facing urgent financial need. In six Pennsylvania counties, jurors now have the option to donate their jury earnings to the VTF. Since its launch, this grassroots effort has raised over $110,000, enough to fund 68 potential VTA grants, providing veterans with life-changing assistance.

John Noll, DMVA Grants Manager, states “the VTF is 100% donation-driven from generous Pennsylvanians. Without continued support from donors, this fund could not continue to assist our veterans, who deserve the best our Commonwealth has to offer.”

Each year, the VTF conducts a competitive grant cycle, funding nonprofit and veteran service organizations that address transportation, housing insecurity, behavioral health, outreach, and other critical services. Vandy Rider, Director of Supportive Services for Veteran Families at the Veterans Multi-Service Center, shared that “as a recipient of VTF grant funding, our organization is able to support over 1,200 veterans and their families through rental assistance, security deposits, groceries, and job readiness services, including transportation to job interviews. These jury donations, among others, allow the VTF to keep supporting our organizations.”

Every penny donated to the VTF is disbursed through grants to support Pennsylvania veterans. Through creative partnerships and diverse funding sources, the VTF continues to serve as a crucial lifeline for Pennsylvania’s veteran community.

2025 Meeting Dates

Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025
1-3 p.m.

Wednesday, May 7, 2025
1-3 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025
1-3 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025
1-3 p.m.